cannabisnews.com: Davis Signs Adjunct To Medical Pot Law Davis Signs Adjunct To Medical Pot Law Posted by CN Staff on October 14, 2003 at 09:08:51 PT By Ed Fletcher -- Bee Capitol Bureau Source: Sacramento Bee Delivering mixed news, outgoing Gov. Gray Davis signed a bill fleshing out the state's medical marijuana law but vetoed a measure that would have let pharmacists sell syringes without prescriptions.Both bills were carried by Sen. John Vasconcellos, D-Santa Clara, and were long sought after by some public health advocates. "He defies analysis by me," Vasconcellos said about Davis, who acted on the legislation Sunday. The state senator said he was "livid" that Davis did not sign the syringe bill but pleased that the governor "finally saw the light" and signed a bill facilitating the legal use of marijuana for chronic medical ailments.In the seven years since voters approved Proposition 215, allowing the medicinal use of marijuana, judges and juries have had final say on what is allowed under the law as "fair use." Some jurisdictions enacted local guidelines, but statewide clarity remained elusive.SB 420, signed by Davis, attempts to clarify the law by creating a state-issued identification card for medical marijuana patients and caregivers, and spells out how much cannabis they can possess and grow."This is a very good step forward," said Jeff Jones, executive director of the Oakland Cannabis Buyers Collective, which has been at the center of the legal battle over fair-use issues.Under the law, which takes effect Jan. 1, patients or primary caregivers may possess no more than 8 ounces of dried marijuana. Additionally, they may maintain no more than six mature and 12 immature marijuana plants per qualified patient.While the statewide limit is less than allowed by some municipalities, the law allows higher possession limits, if prescribed by doctors, and allows looser local laws to remain in place.Proponents said SB 420 will give police and courts a clear understanding of what is allowed under Proposition 215 and provide peace of mind for chronically ill patients legally using marijuana. The bill was supported by the California District Attorneys Association and numerous health advocacy groups.Opponents said the measure goes beyond what voters approved under Proposition 215 and warned that the ID card system is likely to be abused, leading to more illegal drug use."The bill includes as 'caregiver' people who do nothing for patients but grow, transport and sell marijuana," the Committee on Moral Concerns wrote in a letter opposing the bill. "It creates a statewide marijuana trafficking network, without adequate safeguards."Snipped: Complete Article: http://sacbee.com/content/news/medical/story/7598064p-8538889c.html Source: Sacramento Bee (CA)Author: Ed Fletcher -- Bee Capitol BureauPublished: Tuesday, October 14, 2003Copyright: 2003 The Sacramento BeeContact: opinion sacbee.comWebsite: http://www.sacbee.com/Related Articles & Web Site:OCBChttp://www.rxcbc.org/Foes Protest Limits on Medical Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17561.shtmlDavis Signs Medical Marijuana Billhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17554.shtmlGroups on Both Sides Oppose Marijuana Bill http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17412.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Post Comment